Two Teachers, Two Journeys: A Summer of Teaching in China

SJ Faculty, Allison Provenzano and Donna Loehfelm Reflect on  Cultural Exchange, Classroom Surprises, and the Lessons They’ll Carry Back to St. Joes From China.

This summer, two St. Joseph High School teachers stepped far, far outside their comfort zones and into classrooms on the other side of the world. Allison Provenzano and Donna Loehfelm both traveled to China to spend two weeks teaching, eager to experience the classroom in a new cultural setting. Though their journeys unfolded in different ways, each returned with stories of challenge,  connection, and the unexpected lessons that come from daring to adventure. Initially, the pair had planned to teach side by side, but a last-minute staffing emergency need sent them in different directions - more than five hours apart by bullet train! Suddenly, each was left to navigate the experience on their own.

For Allison, the decision to teach abroad was born out of curiosity. She had never been to Asia and was intrigued by the opportunity

to see how learning happens in another country. She was assigned to teach math and science to students who were eager but sometimes hesitant to bridge the language gap. “Most of my classes were taught in three-hour blocks,” she explained. “That was exhausting at times, especially with younger students, but their energy and excitement kept me going.”

Because she does not speak Mandarin, she relied heavily on patience, gestures, and a willingness to laugh with her students.  What surprised her most was how much her students wanted to connect on a personal level. “They would write me little notes,” she said. “They’d give me little gifts or even try to teach me Chinese words. I loved those moments of connection.”

Donna’s decision to travel was fueled by a lifelong dream. Now that her own children are grown, she had the opportunity to immerse

herself in another culture while doing what she loves most. She, too, encountered striking differences in the classroom, though it varied dramatically depending on the city. For one week in one location, Donna found students who were focused, disciplined, and hungry to learn. “They were engaged in everything I did, especially the narrative writing lessons,” she said. “They wanted to participate and try.” But her second week in a different city found that classrooms were more chaotic, the age groups mixed, and discipline harder to establish. But despite cultural and language barriers, Donna discovered moments of triumph. One of her students, Richard, began the week struggling to write in English; but in the end, he proudly produced a five-page story. “Watching him grow in confidence was one of the best parts of my trip,” Donna recalled. Both teachers were struck by the cultural differences in Chinese schools – the long blocks of teaching and strictly regimented schedules. “They even had a midday break where students would eat lunch and then take a nap,” said Allison. “It was such a different structure than what we’re used to here.”

Outside of the classroom, both teachers embraced opportunities to explore China itself, but Donna had a guide who truly allowed

her  to see more of the city around her. She wandered the bustling city streets, sampled local cuisine, and visited historic sites that offered glimpses into China’s long and complex history. “Immersing myself in the culture - not just as a tourist but as someone living and working there - gave me such a richer perspective,” Donna said. Both Allison and Donna will admit that the challenges were real –  everything from jet lag to language barriers to the sheer intensity of teaching in unfamiliar classrooms – is enough to give
any teacher pause. But they both agreed that those challenges were also what made the trip so transformative. “It gave me greater awareness of what it feels like to be an international student,” Allison reflected. “Now I understand a little better the courage it takes to walk into a classroom where nothing is familiar.” Donna echoed the sentiment. “It’s so important to step outside your comfort zone. I came back with more empathy, more perspective, and more excitement to keep growing as a teacher.”

Though their paths in China diverged, Allison and Donna returned united by a deeper sense of purpose. Both saw firsthand that teaching is never confined to four walls and that the lessons that matter most often come from connection and a willingness to learn from others. Their experiences will now ripple back into the St. Joes community, enriching not only their own teaching but the students who benefit from their broadened perspectives. What both teachers ultimately discovered is that, despite the miles, the cultures, and the languages that separate us, the heart of learning is universal. Students everywhere share the same spark, the
desire to understand, to be challenged, and to be seen. In every classroom, whether in Connecticut or China, the joy of a breakthrough moment, the curiosity behind a raised hand, and the pride in newly learned skills are the same. Their journeys were a reminder that education is not only a cultural exchange but also a human one, connecting people across borders through a shared
thirst for knowledge and growth.

“We would both do it again in a heartbeat,” Donna said. For both teachers, the trip was more than just a professional opportunity; it was a reminder of why they entered the classroom in the first place. Teaching is not only about sharing knowledge but also about building bridges across cultures, languages, and life experiences.